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SALT LAKE CITY — Purported benefits of dietary supplements in preventing disease and promoting health continue to evolve and are not exactly understood. Likewise, the use and effectiveness of herbal remedies has long been a hotbed for contention. So how do you know if these methods really work?
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a rise in the use of herbs, dietary supplements and vitamins as Americans embrace more of an Eastern medicine philosophy. But plant materials have been used as medicines since the beginning of time and are often used in prescription medications.
Research studies are being conducted daily to prove or disprove the benefit of these supplements, but the results can be confusing. Oftentimes one study will report great benefits for a supplement, and another can take that same item and prove it to have no benefit.
For example, studies have shown taking vitamin D, 2,000u a day, will boost your energy and aid in bone health. Because of our lifestyle of office work, staying out of the sun, using sunscreen daily, etc., we have limited our daily vitamin D intake to the degree it affects our wellness.
On the other hand, many people go too far with herbs, vitamins and other supplements. Years ago, I saw a young teenage girl almost die as a result of an infection her parents would only treat with garlic. Garlic has a natural antibiotic, and they felt this would be the best treatment for their child. Death is not worth proving a point on the best treatment or deep-seated beliefs. This girl needed six weeks of critical care to recover, and taking antibiotics was the cure, not the garlic.
As consumers, we need to take charge of what we read and understand about a product before putting it into our bodies. When researching and experimenting with dietary supplements and herbal remedies, use the following guidelines:
- The information you obtain should not come from a limited study done by an unknown or non-reputable group, marketing company or personal interest group.
- A reputable study needs to be a blind study, with enough participants to prove a general sample of the country or populations and of all cultures.
- Stay clear of groups or people who aggressively promote a vitamin, mineral or herb use. In the old days, we called this a snake oil salesman.
- Do not mix vitamins, minerals or herbs with prescription medication without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. Many herbs, for example, can interact with medication and cause death or serious illness.
- Remember that supplements that work for your family or friends will not necessarily work for you in the same way.
Just for the record, there has been no known supplement that has the answer for weight loss; there has been no known vitamin that cures cancer; and there has been no herb that will treat bacterial infections.
Use solid judgment and good information before using too many herbs, vitamins or dietary supplements which, in the long run, will end up costing you money with little or no return on your investment.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.